Slow Cooker Asian Chicken Drumsticks

Skip dinner worries with these Asian style Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks in your slow cooker! Quick, simple, and easily broiled to perfection after a long day.

Slow Cooker recipes are the best for busy nights. I love their simple set it and forget it method. Some of our favorites include these Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks, Crockpot Orange Chicken and Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos.

Slow Cooker Asian Style Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Today I’m sharing with you a wonderful slow cooker recipe that will surely plant itself onto your regular dinner menu.

I can spend hours in the kitchen with no worries, but this is not the same for many. Slow cooker recipes are becoming more common in our household not only to beat the heat, but because they are just so simple! Asian chicken drumsticks in the slow cooker sounds like a standard dinner, but you can transform it into so much more! Slow Cooking is the best way to get a delicious, quality chicken dinner on the table fast.

How to Serve Crockpot Chicken Legs

We usually serve them over rice but my husband has recently gotten into de-boning the chicken before storing, allowing us to take that chicken a step further. Wraps, pasta salads, pizza, you name it!

When I make this recipe and want a complete meal, I usually serve it with Fried Rice or Coconut Rice and Air Fryer Broccoli or Garlic Green Beans.

These Slow Cooker Chicken legs are also a perfect handheld snack option for game day as part of your finger foods spread. Plus they stay warm in the crockpot!

Can you use frozen drumsticks in the slow cooker?

While keeping chicken on hand in your freezer is a great idea, I recommend thawing bone-in chicken before cooking. Using frozen, you run the risk of the chicken not cooking all the way through to the center and drying out on the outside.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Chicken drumsticks – you can remove the skin or leave it on, it’s really a personal preference. In the recipe, I share how I get the skin nice and crispy after it cooks.
• Salt,  pepper and crushed red pepper flakes – seasoning for the chicken legs. Use sparingly; you can always add more seasoning later.

For the Sauce

• Granulated sugar – Sweetness to balance the salt. Brown sugar also works well.
• Soy sauce – for a salty, umami flavor.
• Rice wine vinegar – for tanginess.
• Tomato paste – for acid and flavor.
• Garlic and ginger – fresh for the best flavor, but bottled and store bought will work as well.

How to Make Asian Style Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks

So now you know I am all about leftovers, but something else I am big on is being frugal and seeing how far a dollar can take us. Yes, boneless skinless chicken breasts are awesome and convenient, but they are also quite expensive. These Asian chicken drumsticks use a cheap cut of meat and transform into a flavorful dinner for the entire family. Plus, meat on the bone has more flavor AND reduces the chances of dry meat (but don’t let this fool you, you can still overcook any meat!).

1. Start by seasoning 2 and a half pounds of chicken drumsticks with salt and pepper and some red chile pepper flakes. This is about 10 chicken legs, and usually how large packages are sold.
2. Arrange the chicken in a 6-quart slow cooker.
3. Combine sauce ingredients – sugar, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, tomato paste, garlic and fresh ginger – and pour oven the chicken.
4. Replace the slow cooker lid and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours, or until chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 160-165 degrees F.

Recipe Notes and Tips

• Obviously your slow cooker isn’t going to get you that beautiful, crispy, toasty skin that oven-baked would, but I easily fix this issue by broiling the chicken for a few minutes in the oven. It takes little effort and really makes a difference. Place the chicken skin side up on a foil lined baking sheet and broil until crispy. Whatever way you choose, you will surely love these Asian chicken legs in the slow cooker.
• Easily sub in your favorite cut of chicken here if drumsticks are not your thing. Cooking times will vary on size/cut of meat. For leaner, boneless breasts we recommend cooking on high for about 3 hours and for boneless thighs, about 4 hours.
• Enhance the flavor of these chicken legs by garnishing with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for color.

Leftovers

Storage: Leftover chicken legs should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezer: Cook completely, then place in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 4 months.

Reheating: Reheat chicken in the slow cooker or in the microwave. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator first.

More Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes to Try

• All-Purpose Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
• Slow Cooker Mexican Beans
• Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Sandwiches
• Easy Slow Cooker/Crockpot Chili
• Crockpot Ribs (Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs)

For all Slow Cooker Recipes, go HERE and for all dinner recipes go HERE. For the Recipe Index, go HERE.

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Asian Chicken Drumsticks in the Slow Cooker

4.71 from 27 votes

Kristin Maxwell

You can broil your chicken before placing into the slow cooker for a crispy skin, but broiling afterwards works as well!

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs

Total Time 5 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Print RecipePin RecipeReview Recipe

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American, Asian

Servings 5 servings

Calories 339kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 1/2 pounds chicken drumsticks
• ▢ Salt and pepper
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional

Sauce

• ▢ ½ cup granulated sugar
• ▢ ½ cup soy sauce
• ▢ 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• ▢ 3 garlic cloves minced
• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons freshly chopped ginger

Instructions

 

• Arrange chicken in 6-quart slow cooker. Season with salt, pepper, and pepper flakes.
• Combine sauce ingredients and pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours, or until chicken is cooked through (160-165F.)
• Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds if desired. Serve over rice.

Notes

For crispy skin, broil your chicken until golden. You can also do this before placing into the slow cooker but I find the final broiling to yield great results.

If you like, you can remove all the meat after cooking and throw it into a big batch of rice or use it for sandwiches and wraps.

Nutrition

Serving: 2drumsticksCalories: 339kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 29gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 139mgSodium: 1477mgPotassium: 425mgSugar: 20gVitamin A: 115IUVitamin C: 1.2mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1.6mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

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